Let’s say you have an old gantry crane or piece of material handling equipment that you haven’t used for a few years, but that you would like to start using again.
What do you need to do to ensure the safety of this lifting equipment, and that it ticks all the appropriate regulatory boxes?
In this guide we take a closer look at certifying existing cranes and lifting equipment: whether you can do it, whether you need to do it, and how to do it.
Does lifting equipment need to be certified?
Yes, in New Zealand all lifting equipment must be designed and built in accordance with AS 1418.1 and AS 4991, which outlines general requirements for the design, testing, marking, maintenance and use of cranes and lifting devices.
Further, if it is a crane with a powered hoist plus has powered movement of the hoist or jib arm slew or gantry bridge, then it must meet the requirements of PECPR (Health and Safety in Employment (Pressure Equipment, Cranes, and Passenger Ropeways) Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/128) (as at 01 December 2017) Contents – New Zealand Legislation)
In order to ensure that a lifting device meets these requirements, it must be certified by a chartered professional engineer or in the case of a powered crane that falls under the PECPR regulations, then must be certified by a qualified Crane Inspector.
Can I certify old cranes and lifting equipment in New Zealand?
If you have an existing crane or piece of lifting equipment that you haven’t used for a while, can you start using it again?
The short answer is yes, provided it is certified to the standards mentioned above by a chartered professional engineer or Crane Inspector.
The engineer will check that the old crane or old lifting beam meets all current standards, and will test it to ensure that it is still capable of performing the tasks that will be demanded of it.
The rules and regulations for certifying existing cranes
What exactly does the chartered engineer check when certifying an existing piece of lifting equipment?
Key areas of focus include:
- Design certification: the engineer will check that the crane or lifting equipment meets the requirements of the relevant standard.
- Proof loading: This testing process is used to certify the safety and integrity of lifting equipment by applying a load equivalent to the stated maximum capacity of the equipment and ensuring the deflection is within acceptable tolerances and there is no permanent deformation after the lift.
- Weakness and deterioration: On top of proof loading, other tests and visual checks are performed to identify potential weaknesses or defects in the crane, including cracks, rust and faulty parts.
How often should lifting beams be inspected?
On top of pre-use checks at the beginning of every shift, lifting beams should typically undergo a more thorough inspection every 6-12 months. The exact frequency of this inspection will depend on a few factors, including:
- The manufacturer's recommendations
- The frequency and intensity of use
- The conditions in which the beam operates (inspections are required more regularly in outdoor or more extreme environments)
- The previous maintenance and repair history of the equipment
Helping New Zealand manufacturers safely solve their lifting challenges with the best local and global solutions
At Stratalign we’ve spent years helping New Zealand businesses to capitalise on lifting equipment, from supplying new solutions to certifying your existing equipment. Our team has the knowledge and expertise to certify all of your equipment to ensure it will do what you need it to, and that it will help you work more efficiently, productively and safely.
Our services and solutions can be customised to your exact needs and wants, and all of our lifting equipment is certified to AS 1418.1.
